Canadafest Moves To Hollywood

Organizers of Canadafest `87 said their two-day music and dance extravaganza will be at North Beach Park in Hollywood because Dania city commissioners refused to allow the event on Dania Beach.

``What happened in Dania is a shame,`` said Regent Desormiers, chairman of special events for Canadafest Inc.

On Oct. 14, commissioners told Desmormiers that he would not be allowed to block off the parking lot at Dania Beach on Jan. 17 and 18. Selling food and beverages, commissioners said, would violate the city`s exclusive lease with the adjacent SeaFair. The city collects rent and a percentage of food sales from SeaFair, City Attorney Frank Adler said.

Peter Maceri, manager of North Beach Park, said the event will be at the park on State Road A1A and Sheridan Street.

The event, cosponsored by the city of Hollywood, drew 40,000 people to SeaFair in Dania and various places in Hollywood last year.

Organizers this year say they hope to attract even more people and have scheduled a rodeo in Davie, to be presented during the festival from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1.

The festival was created as a salute to Canadian tourists, a gathering place for the estimated 200,000 Canadians who now make South Florida their home and an opportunity for people to learn more about Canada, Desmormiers said.